The electric fuelling station design competition names winners
by CM Staff
In first place, ‘More with Less’, designed by James Silvester from Edinburgh, Scotland takes home $40,000 to be split with the other two winners.
The electric fuelling station design competition names winners
TORONTO — Electric Autonomy Canada, in partnership with Parkland, launched an ideas competition which called for inspiring, boundary-breaking concepts that could serve as a blueprint for what future fuelling stations dedicated to electric vehicle (EV) charging could look like. The goal of the competition was to advance EV adoption and alleviate “range anxiety” by highlighting the benefits of recharging on a long road trip, especially at a hub designed for that purpose.
Drawing over 100 high-quality entries from across the world, what emerged from the competition were many ideas, concepts and typologies that redefine modern mobility – all fuelled by the minds of passionate architects and designers.
Chosen by an acclaimed judging panel that included leading architects, retail experts, EV drivers and even the designer behind the LYRIQ, Cadillac’s first EV, the winning entrants from the competition include: in first place ‘More with Less’, designed by James Silvester from Edinburgh, Scotland. In second place is ‘The Circle’ by Fabric.a Architects from Istanbul, Turkey, and in third place is ‘Plug and Play’ by Pavel Babiienko from Berlin, Germany. These winners will be awarded $40,000 CAD in total prize money between them.
The New Fuelling Station Recharges Not Just EVs, But Ourselves
The winning design concept, ‘More with Less,’ serves as a beacon of architecture meant to inspire EV adoption, and lends itself to being scaled as a modular system to suit both rural and commuter locations (similar to the way gas stations are rolled out today).
Designed in a curvilinear shape, the ‘More with Less’ concept provides multiple charging points and parking spots under the shelter of a timber canopy. The building houses typical services like food kiosks, along with novel amenities that can include lush courtyards and fitness and entertainment zones. It also thoughtfully incorporates sustainable elements (including rainwater collection, solar panels and materials with low embodied energy) to have a minimum impact on the planet. Finally, the design strongly considers its users, with features like roof overhangs for inclement weather and technology for wayfinding.
According to the competition winner James Silvester, “My proposal for the future charging station is an environment that relaxes, slows and centres the soul. It is a place to take a breath and charge not just our vehicles, but ourselves. The result is not simply a process on the journey – but a space meant to be enjoyed. Here, nature is invited into the structure, as we strive to harmonize our future,” he concluded.
“From Turkey to Kazakhstan, Poland to Portugal and China to Canada, our team and jury was overwhelmed with the quality of submissions from around the globe. We’re confident that these imaginative concepts will spark a holistic rethinking – from the ground up – of the unique refuelling requirements and opportunities of EVs versus gas vehicles, and help the driving public explore the positive opportunities presented by the electrification of our infrastructure,” said Nino Di Cara, Founder and President, Electric Autonomy Canada.
